Points are thrown out of the mix for a one million dollar grand prize pay-out to the driver who beats all of the top competitors to the finish. The event will continue to consist of 4 segments, however the new rule will put more emphasis on the timeliness of the pit crews and could shake up the running order right before the final segment begins.

The 2010 All-Star Race format:

Segment 1 – 50 laps with a mandatory four-tire pit stop on lap 25
Segment 2 – 20 laps followed by an optional pit stop
Segment 3 – 20 laps followed by a 10-minute break
Segment 4 – a 10-lap sprint to the finish

The new format change will come into play at the beginning of Segment 4. After one lap behind the pace car, drivers will be required to make a four-tire pit stop. The order in which they exit pit road will determine where they’ll start for the final segment.

Drivers are eligible to compete in the All-Star if they’ve:

- won a race during the 2009 or thus far in the 2010 season
- won a past all-star event
- won a Sprint Cup Series championship (over the previous 10 years)

The drivers who don’t meet the criteria will have a chance to make their way in by finishing first or second in the Sprint Showdown prior to the All-Star Race or by winning the Sprint Fan Vote.

The drivers that are eligible for the 2010 All-Star Race include: Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Bobby Labonte, Joey Logano, Mark Martin, Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman, David Reutimann, Tony Stewart and Brian Vickers. It’s being reported that Vickers may have to sit out for the next three months due to health concerns.

Tony Stewart is the defending race winner.

“There were a lot of people that didn’t know what to think about what we were trying to do,” Stewart said. “I think it really sent a message to these people how dedicated our organization is to being successful. It kind of quieted a lot of the naysayers and a lot of people that were on the fence trying to decide if I’d made a good decision or not. Standing there on the stage, getting the check was a pretty good statement.”

The 26th NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is coming up this Saturday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Qualifying will be held on Friday night at 6 pm, shown on SPEED Channel.

TV coverage begins at 7 pm on SPEED Channel starting with coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Showdown. The top-2 finishers will win their way into the All-Star Race which is scheduled at 9 pm.

Creed will perform during the pre-race concert.

Tickets are available by calling (800) 455-FANS or online at charlottemotorspeedway.com